Deputy Senate President Barau Says Many, Including Lawmakers, Lack Clarity on Tax Reform Bills

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin has revealed that many people, including lawmakers, lack understanding of the tax reform bills currently being debated.

The controversial bills, sent to the National Assembly by President Bola Tinubu in September, have sparked significant backlash, particularly in Northern Nigeria, with critics arguing they could worsen economic hardships in the region.

Northern governors, traditional leaders, and various groups have rejected the bills, warning they could make it harder for states to pay salaries and worsen economic conditions nationwide. Governor Babagana Zulum of Borno State voiced concerns over the urgency with which the National Assembly is handling the bills.

Speaking to the BBC Hausa Service, Jibrin defended the process, explaining that the bills’ second reading was necessary to allow public input.

Read: Northern Senators debated Tax Reform Bills aimed at easing tax burdens

Addressing criticism over the process, Jibrin clarified that it follows standard legislative procedure, ensuring committees review the bills after the second reading to provide a comprehensive analysis.

He assured Nigerians that expert input and public contributions would shape the outcome, emphasizing that the process has only just begun.